Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan

Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan (died July 2020) was a Filipino militant affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf. He was the leader of the group which has associated itself with the Islamic State (IS) since 2014.

Early life Hajan Sawadjaan was born in Jolo, Sulu, to a peasant family. He likely only finished primary education according to a source from the Philippine military. Due to financial difficulties, he worked as a lumberjack in Patikul and married a woman native of Barangay Tanum.

Career As an elder, he served as a preacher in a local mosque. His involvement in preaching earned him the title of "hatib" or sermon leader in Arabic.

Death On July 6, 2020, Hajan Sawadjaan was severely wounded during an encounter with the government troops in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu and died from his injuries a few days later. After the encounter with the government troops, he was found and buried by the group of his cousin Mundi Sawadjaan, an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader.